The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-22
CONDITION or The RIVERS
OF ARKANSAS AND MISSISSIPPI
IL DETAIL
Work Done Upon Them During
the Month Of april,
as Shown by
CAPTS. TABER AND WILLARD,
ENGINEERS IN CHARGE.
Valuable Papers That Will be
Read With AvIdlty by the
People OF Our Valley.
ESPECIAL TO THE ApPEAL.l

BUREAU Of THE MEMPHIS APPEAL,
No. 5l4 THIRTEENTH STREET, WASH.
INaToN, d. O., May 21.-The following
Is condensed report Of the condition
OF the Arkansas rivers under the
charge of Capt. A. 8. Taber, and OF
the work which was done upon them
during the month Of April, as shown
In Capt. Taber's reports TO the En-.
gineer's office OF the War Depart.
meBt.
WHITE RIVER.
In the work OF improving White
river but little was done during April
on account OF the high water. An ss-
siatant engineer mas engaged working
n and plotting the notes OF the sur
vey, ana personal examination was
made of the property used in the work
upon the reach between Ba:esville and
Newport. During May the work OF
plottirg the nctrs Of the survey
will be continued and the property
and the records cared for. 1t 10 not
expected that the water will reach an
effective working sage during May,
though ehould il do 30 work will be-
resumed at once. This work will con.
sist t the erection OF wing dams and
will be carried on az last season by
dropping the outfit down without hav-
ing 10 resort to steam power. Some
snaggiDg operations may be required
in the lower river later on. At the
present sage Of wa or 1t is in very air
condition.
ST. FRANCIS RIVER.
Work upon the Ut. Francis river
from the mouth to St. Francis
has proceeded under very sue.
cessful conditions 40 to wafer md
all calculations based upon high
water have miscarried more or lies, gs
the rivers have all kept low. On thin
account 1t became necessary TO give
up the at empt to get the snsgboht A.
b Johnson to the upper reach, and
work had been done upon the middle
reach. There is 80 much work need d
and 30 little money to accomplish it
that the record OF distractions re-
moved is large and much relief has
been afforded to navigation, especially
from Mark Tree to Testers landing.
The boat will continue this work dur
ing May until the amount allotted
this reach has been expended
or until the expected high water
enables the boat to get through
TO Kennett. Should high water come
the work will bs between Lesters's
Landing and st. Francis, or upon the
upper reach, where it is also very
much required.
The lack Of funds prevented any
attempt at work upon the Arkansas
river, between Wichita and Little
Rock, except caring for the records
and property, and completing the
map. Nothing more will be done
during May.
RED RIVER.
The new snaeboat to be employed
in the work OF improving Red river,
above Fulton, was completed durir g
April, except its machinery. As
the water will not reach an Of
fective stage for work until about
Jolly 1st the ho,t will be properly
cared for and the machinery p aced on
board when it can be done most Geo.
nomically prior to that time. Daring
May, therefore, the above idea will bs
carried out.
PETIT JEAN RIVER.
On the Petit Jean river during April
work was completed as far it could be
reached, that is, from the mouth to
Rocky Crossing. The water became
80 low by April 10th that the quarter
boat could not be taken above Rocky
Crossing shoals, and the force, except
that necessary to care for the proper
ty, was discharged. There were 1859
overh 'nging trees cut, ninety.five
trimmed up and 235 large limb
overhanging the river cut of, 1853
old logs and susgs vere removed, with
large quantities OF brush and many
boulders that choked the channel.
The plan as set forth in the project
hes been carried out completely up to
Rocky Crossing, and the river, from
the foreman's report, is open to high
and medium stsge navigation 10 that
point. A steamboat is now waiting a
rise to test the work practically. The
quarterboat can be no longer spared
for the work, and as the small balance
lie inadequate to complete the plan
triginslly proposed, work will be sus.
pended except that necessary to
care for property and records un
til further action Of Congress s
may be known. 1t will be noted
that only half the amount originally
estimated was appropriated. The
total distance 1t was proposed to i'm
prove in the original plan was forty.
two miles. Half this is twenty. one
miles. Rocky Crossing is seventeen
miles from the mouth. In March some
work was done above Rocky Crossing
before it became necessary to drop
below, equivalent to about three
miles of completed work. When all
outstanding liabilities are met there
will be sbont $500 on hand. In Other
words, the original plan called for $l6e
to the mile, and twenty miles have
been completed at total cost Of about
$1,000, or at the rate OF $3.50 per mile
Just above Rocky Crossing is I
bridge that is reported to interfere
with navigation. 1t Is proposed tc
visit this point during MAY TO eel
more comp etc information as to this
bridge.
| ARKANSAS RIVER.
General authority to commence oper
atoms on the Arkansas river at Pine
Bluff, Fort Smith aud Dardsnelle. was
received early in April and steps were
at once taken to forward the detailed
proje cts for certain realities and Ia
arrange for active operations, Pr,cel
were received upon piles and lumber
aud arrangements made for securins
brush, and pr, limlI ary stepG take :
looking to removing the plant 10 Lit
tie Rcck. All this has been dopt
with little or no expense
to the appropriation. AZ
Pine Bluff no work was done except Il
care for the property. An Inspection
OF the works was made at ex,reme
| l,w water, and most gratifying eondi.
tons found TO exist. Bars are nov
found at low water along the tovr
front, where l found Sgx40 ieet oI
water at the same stage in August
1884. As far ss l was able IN indoe
there will be no use for anv ~ M
contingent fund here during Nav. ex
oept to care for the property. AZ For
Smith nothing was done under itsowr